FUTURAMA

I cannot believe that I am the first person to review this album! This has got to be one of the most overlooked bands ever along with The Enid and Greenslade. The quality of their music has nothing to do with that sad fact, however - they are top notch musicians and Bill Nelson's songwriting is immensely creative. In fact if someone asked me to define Art Rock, I would name Be Bop Deluxe as a definitive Art Rock group, along with Van Der Graaf Generator and Curved Air.

This album in particular is amazing for its instrumental prowess, songwriting originality and heart-felt vocals. Production is equally good. The album is a define move into a more progressive direction, with guitar doing most of the work, although its predecessor has progressive elements as well. Arrangements are getting more sophisticated, and lyrics more futuristic.

Don't get fooled by David Bowie comparisons - this band is a hundred times more sophisticated - maybe they also did some "posing" in the days of Glam Rock, but they have solid musical skills to back them up, in fact Bill Nelson is one of the best guitars players in rock, good enough to challenge the fabled Steve Howe or Jan Akkerman.

If you don't own it, you don't know what you are missing.